The Emmaus Road

The Bible tells us about a road that lead from the city of Jerusalem to a town called Emmaus.  It was on that road that two men faced the darkest hours of their lives.

Coming from a Jewish background, these men looked for a Messiah that would set up His Kingdom on earth, allowing the nation of Israel to rule forever. 

When Jesus stepped onto the stage, all of Israel took notice, could this be their Messiah?  For three and a half years, they watched this man heal the sick, cast out devils, restore site to the blind and cause the deaf to hear.  Greatest of all, they saw the dead brought back to life.  Surely, no one could do these miracles unless He were the one they waited for. 

At the height of Jesus’ ministry disaster struck and the disciples were left alone, discouraged and frightened.  Jesus was dead.  After his burial, two of these men took the road out of Jerusalem toward Emmaus where they encountered the risen Christ who revealed to them God’s completed salvation plan. 

Many of us are facing our own dark "Road to Emmaus".  We may have no solution to our situation.  The usual response is that we just need to accept of God’s plan for our life.  The truth is far more complicated; this place we are in is the place where we fight our greatest battles.  It is often filled with silence, fear, denial, discouragement, depression or a range of emotional challenges.    While we understand these emotions and not reality, they can shake our world just as easily as any physical event. 

So, what do we do when we face our “Road to Emmaus”?  We pray.  We read God’s Word.  We remind ourselves that we are not alone.  We remember we are loved.  We wait for the end of the crises, the day that Jesus shows up to give us the answers we seek, no matter how long it takes. 

The answer lies in the waiting. 

Jeremiah 33:3 (KJV)

Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.